Learning from SARS: Preventing the Next Disease Outbreak

Learning from SARS: Preventing the Next Disease Outbreak

This report summarizes a workshop of the Forum on Emerging Infections that discussed the global response to SARS and the holes that it exposed in epidemic preparedness worldwide.

2004

The response to the SARS epidemic reflected progress in global health but also highlighted the need for a robust response system for the next emerging infectious disease outbreak. SARS had a huge psychological and economic impact, possibly due to a relatively high case fatality rate, novelty, uncertainty, and the speed with which it spread. Participants concluded that efforts to address microbial threats should encompass and be enriched by existing strategies for defense against bioterrorism as it is not immediately known whether an outbreak was natural or intentional. The biggest areas to focus on for future outbreaks are early detection, effective communication with the public, promotion of research and development, strategies for containment, and multinational collaboration.